So it is in the NFL, where the salary cap serves as a crowbar to the shins of champions. The Broncos are living what the Seahawks, Patriots and Ravens experienced. Repeating is difficult when multiple contributors hit free agency.

The volume of players departing from Dove Valley raises eyebrows, but quarterback Brock Osweiler represented the lone surprise. The Broncos braced for his exit when dialogue went silent for several days and Osweiler was unreachable at the advice of his agent. Clients seeking the best deal go off the grid, leaving their representatives to make it business, not personal. This is straight out of Scott Boras’ playbook. The Texans guaranteed Osweiler $37 million, $7 million more than the Broncos. The Broncos move on. Both sides can win.

Under general manager John Elway’s watch, the Broncos have claimed five consecutive AFC West crowns, two conference championships and a Super Bowl. The defense should not create any handwringing. The losses of defensive end Malik Jackson and linebacker Danny Trevathan sting. But move Sylvester Williams outside on occasion, draft a defensive lineman, insert Todd Davis at linebacker and let Wade Phillips, Bill Kollar and crew coach them up.

Every issue with this team’s ability to repeat hinges on the offense. If you are wondering why the Broncos aren’t panicking about having quarterback issues, it’s this: they led the NFL with 23 interceptions last season, ranked 14th in passing yards per game and 28th in yards per play and red zone touchdown percentage. The running game improved over the final 10 weeks, but the offense scared no one. Limiting turnovers and providing a water break for the defense proved the unit’s most important contribution in the playoffs.

The Broncos won with a meager offense. This is not the blueprint going forward. It starts with finding a starting quarterback. Mark Sanchez, who is ecstatic to be in Denver, provides insurance, prevents an overreach on any deal. The Broncos aren’t done at the position. The expectation is they will bring in another veteran and draft a prospect in the first three rounds. Colin Kaepernick remains in the mix.

Improvement starts with an improved offensive line. The Broncos made a solid addition with Donald Stephenson. If left tackle Ryan Clady returns on a pay cut, Stephenson would probably start at right tackle. Max Garcia takes over for Louis Vasquez at one guard spot. Add another guard to the mix, and optimism becomes real. Last season’s line hung together, but the inability to pass block and play smashmouth was glaring.

Moving the quarterback under center brought the running game to life, forcing the defenders on the back side to slow down. But the backside cut play can’t be the only weapon. The Broncos will be better in this regard.

And let’s not sleep on C.J. Anderson. Placing the original tender on him left it easy for the Miami Dolphins to sign him to a four-year offer sheet. When it happened, it seemed he was gone. But now with a high-priced quarterback no longer a certainty, it remains possible he could return.

Troy joined The Denver Post in 2002 as the Rockies' beat writer and became a Broncos beat writer in 2014 before assuming the lead role before the 2015 season. He is a past president of the local chapter of Baseball Writers Association of America and has won more than 20 local and national writing awards since graduating from the University of Colorado journalism school with honors in 1993.